PREVIEW: Doncaster Vs Barnsley

14 March 2019

Barnsley make the short trip to Doncaster Rovers on Friday evening in another crunch clash at the Sky Bet League One summit, and we’ve got it covered here in our big match preview.

Both sides drew on Tuesday night; the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw with promotion rivals Sunderland at Oakwell, while Donny claimed a share of the spoils at a rejuvenated Blackpool, who are also making a late bid for the play-offs.

Daniel Stendel’s side have an opportunity to put a real marker down at the Keepmoat Stadium, knowing that victory will open up a seven-point gap to the Black Cats, while also cutting Luton Town’s lead at the top to just two points.

However, Rovers haven’t lost at home in the league since October – a 1-0 reverse against Sunderland – but subsequently picked up 21 points from their next nine home games.

With just nine fixtures of this gruelling season remaining, the Reds are on course to achieve what was set out before a ball was even kicked and another three points against our Yorkshire rivals will continue the momentum generated by a 17-game unbeaten run.

Crucial to this incredible form is goalkeeper Adam Davies, who has kept five consecutive clean sheets, ten over the course of this run and 18 in all competitions this campaign.

The skipper has been instrumental for Stendel and has proved to be the bedrock for the foundations of League One’s meanest defence that has conceded just 28 goals all season.

Barnsley are still without midfielder Cameron McGeehan and forward Jacob Brown, who are serving the last of their respective three-match suspensions following our 3-0 win at Southend United a fortnight ago.

Our hosts, meanwhile, have suffered a slight dip in form in the past few weeks and have failed to win any of their last five league games since their Emirates FA Cup fifth round exit to Crystal Palace.

Defeats against lowly Shrewsbury Town and AFC Wimbledon, coupled with draws against Scunthorpe United, Charlton Athletic and Blackpool have seen Doncaster’s place in the top six come under threat by potential late-comers.

Peterborough United have been in contention all season, but the Seasiders and Coventry City – both of whom will visit Oakwell before the campaign draws to a close – are eager to crash the play-off party, and will be hoping to take advantage of any potential slips from Rovers between now and 4 May.

In the dugout at the Keepmoat is ex-Reds’ midfielder Grant McCann, who took charge of Donny in June 2018. The former Northern Ireland international played for Barnsley between 2006 and 2008 after arriving from Cheltenham Town, initially on loan before making his deal permanent.

After leaving Oakwell, the 38-year-old enjoyed successful spells with Scunthorpe and Peterborough – winning promotion, via the play-offs, with both clubs before retiring in 2015.

This will be the 75th meeting between the two sides in all competitions and it’s fair to say that it has been an evenly matched fixture over the years. Barnsley have won 24 compared to Doncaster’s 27 victories, while there have also been 23 draws – the most recent of which was earlier this season.

Cauley Woodrow rescued a point for the Reds back in November after Herbie Kane had given McCann’s side the lead in a thrilling encounter at Oakwell.

In order for Barnsley to keep the pressure on those around them – and keep the race for promotion firmly in their own hands – they’ll have to do what they’ve not managed to achieve in four visits to the Keepmoat: win.

Danny Haynes was the hero back in January 2011 as he scored twice in front of a rapturous away end – his first goals after arriving from Bristol City earlier that month.

Doncaster have won three of the four meetings on home soil since then, with Richard Chaplow scoring a last minute winner last time out in October 2015.

Tickets for this fixture are still on general sale but only a few remain, so if you wish to attend this crucial Yorkshire derby contact the Reds Superstore or order online.

Due to broadcast restrictions, this game will not be available to view on iFollow Barnsley but any supporters not attending will be able to watch LIVE on Sky Sports. Kick-off at the Keepmoat Stadium is at 7:45pm.

REPORT: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Barnsley

15 March 2019

Another strong defensive display sees the Reds take a point from their South Yorkshire rivals and extend their unbeaten run to eighteen league games.

Daniel Stendel made three changes to the side that held Sunderland to a goalless draw on Tuesday night at Oakwell. Having impressed in recent weeks from the bench, Jordan Williams was given his first Sky Bet League One start.

The youngster was brought in alongside Ben Williams and Victor Adeboyejo. The trio replaced Mike Bähre, Jordan Green and Dani Pinillos in the Reds’ starting eleven.

Despite Mamdou Thiam seeing an effort hit the side netting within the first 60 seconds, the Reds were on the backfoot for much of the first half.

It was be the home side who would thrive off the high octane start and had it not been for Adam Davies, they would have been in front on 5 minutes. A superb double save from the Welshman, first denying Wilks and then Marquis meant that the score stayed level.

Having lost Kenny Dougall to injury after only 18 minutes, the Reds struggled to control the ball and had to absorb sustained pressure from the hosts. The Australian was replaced by Zeki Fryers.

Davies was tested again just before half time when veteran midfielder James Coppinger met a cross at the far post, direct a well hit follow up shot towards goal. However, the skipper was equal to his efforts.

Jordan Williams had the Reds best chance of the half when arriving on the end of a Thiam cross. However, his first touch took him in to the path of Marko Marosi who was able to smother his shot and clear the ball.

Half Time: Doncaster Rovers 0-0 Reds

Neither side were able to gain total control of the game after the restart. The ball spent a lot of time in the air and the overall pace had slowed down after a frantic first 45.

The gaffer looked to his bench on the hour mark and decided to replace Thiam with Mike Bähre in order to allow the Reds to get on the ball in the middle of the park.

It didn’t take the German long to get involved and after some neat interplay between him and Alex Mowatt, Victor Adeboyejo found some space in the box and saw his effort well saved by Marosi in the Doncaster goal.

As the action drew to a close both sides pushed in order to try and find the breakthrough and it was the home side who came closest.

Davies pulled off yet another superb double save as he denied both Alfie May and Kieran Sadler from close range in the last minute of normal time. Ryan Hedges fired wide of the target with last kick of the game and this meant the match ended scoreless.

The reds have now kept six consecutive clean sheets and retain their status as the league’s best defence, whilst also moving 5 points clear of third place Sunderland.

TICKET UPDATE | Doncaster Rovers (A)

Barnsley Football Club has received a final allocation of 700 tickets for our Sky Bet League One clash with Doncaster Rovers on Friday 15th March.

Tickets for seats in the Donasonic East Stand are now on General Sale.

(Original Post)

We received an initial allocation of 2,035 tickets in the Ellgia North Stand for our game at Doncaster Rovers FC on Friday 15th March, kick off 7.45pm.

A further 1,000 North Stand and 700 East Stand tickets are available upon request.

Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders only from Monday 25th February.

One per season ticket.

Season tickets cannot be up or downgraded, the ticket allocation is for the supporter named on the season card.

Remaining tickets will be made available on general sale on Thursday 28th February.

Adult £21

Senior Over 60 £17

Young Adult (22-24 years) £17

Young Adult (18-21 years) £13

Juvenile (12-17 years) £8

Juvenile (11 years and under) £5

Ambulant disabled supporters and wheelchair users will pay the relevant age related category with a free carer’s ticket being available for supporters receiving the higher rate of DLA or enhanced rate of PIP only.

Official Club Coach Travel departs at 5.30pm priced at £13 per seat. We have a strict no alcohol policy. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18+.

The postage deadline for this game is 3pm Tuesday 12th March. Tickets will remain on sale from the Box Office/Reds Superstore until 12 noon Friday 15th March 2019, subject to availability.

If you are purchasing away game and cup tickets for other people we strongly advise you to correctly assign the ticket to each individual for every game. This will enable us to offer the correct privileges to supporters on occasions when tickets are on restricted sales in a category system.

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT TICKET STUBS WHEN TICKETS ARE ON RESTRICTED SALE. ONLY TICKETS PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AND CORRECTLY ASSIGNED WILL COUNT TOWARDS ANY REQUESTED QUALIFYING CRITERIA.